Mo Fan had thought the summit of Blood Dragon Mountain would be teeming with powerful dragon-blood creatures. Yet when he truly reached the peak, he found no such beasts. Instead, over a hundred cultivators stood scattered across the mountaintop, all gazing solemnly toward the cliff ahead.
Though the Soul Devouring Banner looked rather tattered, its reputation was thunderous. The moment it appeared, it drew the attention of many cultivators atop the mountain.
“A ten-foot soul banner with blood-coloured stripes. That is Blood Soul Old Ghost of Soul Refining Sect’s treasure!”
Many seasoned righteous path cultivators recognised the banner’s origin at a glance, their expressions instantly turning grave.
Blood Soul True Person, though only late Core Formation, was an inner elder of Soul Refining Sect. He had once slain a peak Core Formation cultivator and, to refine his Bloodthirsty Banner, had massacred an entire mortal kingdom. His infamy spread far and wide.
Younger cultivators, upon hearing the banner belonged to Blood Soul Old Ghost, almost all revealed awe. Many quickly averted their gazes, fearing disaster.
Not far away, a black-robed cultivator wearing a bamboo hat brightened at the sight. He immediately flew toward the banner.
“Disciple Qu You pays respects to Elder Blood Soul!”
Before Mo Fan could grasp the situation, the black-robed cultivator rushed over. Joy surged in Mo Fan’s heart.
No need to ask. Qu You was clearly a Soul Refining Sect disciple.
“Qu You, perfect timing. This seat has urgent questions. Do not resist!”
A hoarse voice emerged from the Soul Devouring Banner. Qu You’s face lit up with delight, nodding repeatedly.
Inside the ghost domain, Mo Fan had planned to bind the man forcibly if he resisted. The outcome surprised him.
The three demons exchanged glances, smiles appearing on their faces.
“Very good!”
Mo Fan spoke with satisfaction, then opened the ghost domain gate. Thick ghost qi poured out, instantly engulfing the nearby Qu You.
Soon, black threads extended from the domain, wrapped around Qu You’s body, and dragged him inside.
“Elder Blood Soul, what are you doing?”
Qu You had been secretly thrilled, but panic seized him when the black threads bound him.
After all, Blood Soul Elder had a terrible reputation. As a demonic path titan, he occasionally seized sect disciples to refine their souls. How could Qu You not tremble?
Yet soon Qu You’s eyes widened. Inside the ghost domain stood not Blood Soul Elder, but three unfamiliar faces.
Two stunning women and an ordinary-looking black-robed youth.
“Who are you!”
“Where is Elder Blood Soul?”
Qu You sensed danger and tried to cast a spell to break free, but the black-robed youth grinned and whispered, “Look into my eyes.”
Qu You instinctively obeyed. A flash of blood-red passed through the youth’s pupils, and Qu You froze.
Divine ability, Tiger’s Accomplice!
Mo Fan instantly unleashed the ability, releasing a Core Formation wicked ghost to possess Qu You and seize his memories.
The wicked ghost nodded, turned into ghost mist, and easily entered Qu You’s brow.
Without keeping Mo Fan waiting long, Qu You bowed respectfully. “Master, I have read his memories!”
“Transfer them to me!”
Mo Fan nodded and ordered.
He urgently needed to understand the situation. After arriving, he had noticed Lei Yu Zi Dian was absent and planned to extract useful information from Qu You first.
The possessed Qu You nodded, pointed at Mo Fan’s brow, and transmitted the memories.
Soon Mo Fan obtained them and understood why Qu You had approached.
As expected.
Qu You was indeed a core disciple of Soul Refining Sect, elite among elites. Their team of over twenty had entered the Dragon Ruins for treasure, but on the way up, righteous cultivators repeatedly ambushed them.
Only Qu You escaped alive. Knowing he might face extermination next, he disguised himself, trying to stay hidden.
Fortunately, upon reaching the summit, he found not only divine domain righteous cultivators but also Ten Thousand Mountains demon cultivators and the other two major demonic forces. Righteous attention did not linger on him long, letting him breathe easy.
But as a mere early Core Formation suppressed by the ruins’ rules, and after the ambushes, he had become a frightened bird.
The Soul Devouring Banner’s appearance filled him with joy, like finding family.
Little did Qu You expect that inside was not Blood Soul Elder, but Mo Fan, who had killed Blood Soul and seized the treasure!
“This fellow was loyal to the demonic path. Pity he chose the wrong side!”
Mo Fan shook his head. Qu You’s life had been tragic. Born a mortal prince’s son, without cultivation he would at least have been a heir, enjoying worldly splendour.
Yet a demonic massacre wiped out his city, including his family.
Born at the yin hour with a special constitution suited for demonic arts, he alone survived and was taken to Soul Refining Sect to cultivate.
Mo Fan did not dwell long. Opening his mouth, he ended Qu You’s miserable life.
He felt Qu You had suffered enough. Living on, he was doomed to be hunted by righteous cultivators. His future would only grow bleaker. Better to be a good demon and grant early release.
From Qu You’s memories, Mo Fan finally understood the summit situation.
In summary, four major camps now divided the peak: divine domain righteous path, divine domain demonic path, secular dynasties, and Ten Thousand Mountains demons.
Righteous forces were led by the three transcendent powers: Tianlu, Tianxuan, and Tianxing.
Demonic path by Corpse Yin Sect and Sun Moon Holy Church.
Secular dynasties surprised Mo Fan. Without sect backing, they were divine domain mortal empires. Though weaker than transcendent powers, they could not be ignored.
Three dynasties: Southern Kingdom, Baekje Kingdom, and Northern Plains Barbarians!
Ten Thousand Mountains featured unfamiliar forces: Bottomless Cave, White Elephant Ridge, and Dragon King Sea.
Plus some minor powers and scattered cultivators, whose threat was negligible.
Mo Fan also spotted two familiar faces in the memories.
One was Hei Yi.
One was Jiang Wu!
Unexpectedly, Hei Yi now stood with Dragon King Sea demons.
Even more surprising, Jiang Wu currently battled Old Man Yunshan.
These summit cultivators gathered because below the front cliff lay the True Dragon Lair.
Inside resided truly terrifying dragon-blood creatures. Nascent Soul cultivators and Demon Ancestors had already struck first, including Lei Yu Zi Dian!
After digesting all this, Mo Fan quickly formed a plan.
He immediately steered the Soul Devouring Banner toward Jiang Wu and Old Man Yunshan.
“Fellow Daoist Yunshan, this seat lends you aid!”
“Do not let that Jiang brat escape!”
